Leaf-stemming machine



Jan. 3, 1928.

LEAF STEMMING MACHINE Filed y 24, 1919 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 mineoeee w. 3. STORY Jan, 3, 1928.

LEAF STEMMING MACHINE Filed July 24, 1919 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 removed from the lamina Patented Jan. 3, 1928.

\VABID B. STORY. OF BRGOKLYN, NEW YORK.

LEAF-STEMMING MACHINE.

Application filed July 24, 1919.

The invention relates to apparatus for stemming or removing the stem or midrib from tobacco leaves as a preliminary to the manufacture of smoking or chewing tobacco, or snufi.

The objects or" the invention are to provide an apparatus which will be simple in construction, effective in operation and. economical or" manufacture and maintenance which will not become clogged. wherein the leaf will not be injured, wherein that portion of the leaf near the butt of the stem will be removed, and wherein the stem or rib will be clean and with great rapidity, and without adhering lamina portions.

These and further objects will more fully appear in the following specification and accompanying drawings considered together or separately.

One embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like parts are designated by similar characters of reference, and in which Fig. 1 is a top plan View of the machine.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation oi a portion '1 the apparatus.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section partly in side elevation of the machine, the section being on the line 8-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. i is an enlarged top plan View of a portion of the device partly in section, the section being taken on the line 4- of Fig. 5.

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 55 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a greatly enlarged side elevation of a portion of the device.

ai 'z- 7 is a bottom plan view of the guard rail, and

Fig. 8 is a section on the line 88 of Fig. 6.

The apparatus comprises a standard 1 arried on a base (not shown) by means of which the device is carried upon a floor. The standard is provided near its upper end with radiating arms 2 preferably three in number.

The outer ends of: the arms 2 carry cone rollers 3 on which is supported an annulus 1-. The annulus is centered and retained in po sition on the rollers 3 by means of vertically journaled rollers 5. also carried on the arms 2. The annulus eicarries arms 6 on which is mounted an annular table 7.

Serial No. 812,972.

An internal gear wheel 8 is carried by the annulus at and is engaged by a spur gear 9 monnted on a Vertical shaft 10 rotatable in a casing 11 supported on one of the arms 2. A bevel gear 12 is secured to the spur gear 9 and meshes with a bevel pinion 13 carried by a horizontal shaft 14 also mounted on the casing 11. A pulley 15 on the shaft l i is adapted to be driven from a line shaft (not shown) to impart motion to the shaft and thence to the annular table 7 which is thus gien a. rotary mo -rement in the anticlockwise direction about the standard 1.

Carried on arms 16 projecting inward from the annulus d is a ring 17 on which the inner periphery of the table 7 rests. Carried by the ring 17 is a circular series of spaced, axially projecting pins 18, and between the pins and the ring 17 is an annular blade 19. The blade is seated in a rabbet in the ring 17. The pins 18 are preferably formed of half round wire and the flat sides of the pins rest against the blade 19 and are held in position by blocks 20. Each block engages two pins and is sedlired to the ring 17 by a screw. The pins project above the upper edge of: the blade 19 and the upper extremities ot the pins are bent outward as shown.

Carried on arms 21 projecting from the standard on a higher plane than the arms 2 is a. guard 22. The guard is 01" a curvature corresponding to that of the minor periphery ofthe ring 17 and extends partly around the ring as shown in Fig. 1 and is disposed directly above the pins 18 and separated from them a short distance. One end 23 of the guard 22 is arranged on a line which cuts the circle forming the opening in the table 7 and is extended downward nearly to the surface of the table as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Carried by the curved portion of the guard 221s a series of spring fingers 24 each comprising a horizontal portion 25 on a lower level than the guard. and which normally rests against the flat sides of the pins 18 and upon the exposed upper edge of the blade 19. The end of each portion 25 is bent outward to lie alongside of and parallel to its neighbor. The spring portion 25 is immediately below the bent out portions of the pins whereby the inclined parts of the pins act to retard movement of the spring fingers away fins; 7 trance of dirt or grit beneath the heads.

from the edge of the blade, and retain the portion in the horizontal position. The horizontal. portions 25 of the springs form a continuous spring surface extending from the point A to the point B. V The table 7, and annulus et carrying the pins 18 rotate as whole, while the arms 2, arms 2-1 and guard 22 are stationary.

Mounted within the casing 11 and projecting through the top thereof is a vertical shaft 26 carrying a spur gear .ZGKdrivcn from a pinion 2? on the shaft 10 through the intermediary of an idler pinion 28 within the casing. The shaft 26 is carried in a long bearing 29 forming a portion of the casing 11.

. Keyed to the shaft 26 outside of the caring 11 is a circular turret 30 having a pcripheral recess 31. A. Cil'tjlllttl series ottubular plungers 32 is carried in the turret 30. The upper end of each plunger extends into the recess 31, and the lower extremity of each is provided with an anti-friction roller 3;. The rollers engage a camrigidly secured to the bearing 29 of the casing 11. V A spindle 34F is carried in each plunger and orojects through the upper end there of. ecured to the upper Xtre nity of each spindle is a segmental-head 85. and a spring 36 coiled around the shank of each spindle acts as a cushion for the head 35. The heads term a false bottom for the recess and are movable relatively to the bottom of the recess when the t rret is rotated relatively to the cam 31- as shown in The spindles may be adjusted by means of nuts 37.

Each head is provided with an arc-shaped groove 38 the bottom of which is inclined from the rear or minor edge thereof toward the outer edge of the head and when the heads are in position as shown in Fig. at, a-circular groove extending around the false bottom and near the periphery thereof will he formed. The upper wall of the recess 81 is provided with a dovetailed, circular groovein which is inserted an elastic, compressible ring 39. The ring 39 projects below the upper wall or" the recess and cooperates with the grooves in the heads when the latter are raised, as shown at the right in Fig. A, sleeve 4:0 is mounted on the upper part" of the casing 11. The sleeve encloses the tam 34. and the elements cooperating there with, and engages the lower portion of the turret 80 and "Forms a closed casing which may be filled with lubricant as may the lower part 41 ot the casing l1. Each of the heads is provided with depending flange which overhangs the upper end of the sleeve 40. The flanges form a skirt e:-;tendaround'ithe turret and prevent the A butter. board 42 is supported on one ol the arms 2 and on the guard 22 and tends part way around the inner periphery of the table 7 and is positioned a short distance inside of the same, and a shelf or rest s3 is carried by the butter board.

The extremity of the guard 22 nearest the point A is provided. with a plate as on each side thereof. The plates straddle the pins 18 and each plate has an inclined lower edge for a purpose to be hereinatter described, and the guard carries an adjustable cutting blade 4:5.

A sorting table 4-6 is mounted over the annular table 7 at any desired point.

The operation is as follows:

The leaves properly prepared for the stemming operation are deposited on the table l6 and the. operator takes his stand at that end of the table which lies over the annular table 2'. The leaves are arranged on the sorting table with the butt ends of the st ins towa "d the inner side of the said table.

Power applied to the pulley 15 and the table 2' and turi..t 30 are caused to rotate in the anticlockwise direction. The peripheral speed oi? the turret will be considerably less than that of the inner edge of the table.

T he operator will place the leaves one at a time on the rotating table '1' each with its stein rest ng between two or" the pins 18 and the butt end of the stern in engagement with the butter board That portion of the stem between the pins and the butter board will rest upon the shell 43 and be prevented'from sagging. The rotation of the table 7 will carry the le es toward the turret 30 and as the stems pass under the guard QQ they will engage the lower, inclined edges of the plates ll and be depressed into engagement with the upper cdge of the annular blade 19.

The continued movement ot" the table 7 will bring the stem under the horizontal portion :25 oi the first spring finger which will be raised by the stem. The upward movement ot the finger is resisted. by the inclin d bend of the fingers, and the stem is held n the gap between two pins, the blade 19 and the tinger'24. The stem will remain in tlie said gap until it is finally withdrawn. As the table .irries the leaf further in its travel. that end of the stem projecting inward oi the pins will be directed, into the recess Sl oi the turret 30. The rliitation of the turret so timed relatively to the table and to the cam that as the heads approach the table at the point A, where the periphery of the turret in proximity to the inner oori 'iherv otthe table and to the sins 18.. the heads are at the lower-most point oi their movement; The end of the stem is therefore inserted in the recess be the stem will be clamped betw en the head and the ring 39. The ring being of soft rubber or other compressible material, will be compressed by the stem but the portion of the ring at each side of the stem will con tact with the inclined bottom of the groove and be bent or crowded inward toward the axial line of the turret. This will tend to draw the stem inward and supplement the clamping effect of the head on the stem and prevent its withdrawal from the recess.

As the periphery of the rotating turret begins to travel away from the pins after passing the point A the stem will be drawn through the gap between the pins while the lamina will beprevented from passing be cause of the pins; and the pressure of the spring lingers 24 willforce the stem against the blade 19 and the fingers and blade will also tend to prevent the passage of the lamina.

When the head engaging the butt of the stem reaches the point C diametrically opposite the point A the tip of the longest stem will be at the point B and the stem will be wholly withdrawn from the lamina, which will then be forced off the table 7 by the eX- tension 23 of the guard 22.

V] hen the head engaging the butt of the stem reaches the point C the cam groove will depress the plunger 32 and head 35 and release the stem, which will fall out of the recess of the turret.

If it is desirable that a portion of the stem near the end thereof be retained in the lamina the knife is placed in position on the guard 22 and as the stem is borne under the knife it is severed and the thin end remains in the tip of the lamina. The knife may be adjusted to cut off as much or as little of the stem as desired as it is adjusted toward or away from the point A.

By changing the proportions of the gear chain 26. 2'7 and 28 the speed of rotation of the turret relatively to that of the table may be varied and the machine adjusted to operate on long or short leaves.

The gap through which the stem is drawn is al ays rectangular being bounded by. two of the pins '18, the edge of the blade 19 and a spring finger 2i25,' and these four elements will always be in position to prevent any partof the lamina from being drawn through the As the stem is drawn through the gap its diameter grows gradually less, but the elasticity of the spring fingers supplemented by the resistance to upward movement by the outturned ends of the pins 18 will hold the fingers in cont-act with the stems until the latter are wholly withdrawn from the lamina or are severed by the knife 45.

The outer faces of the pins 18 being fiat, and the'edge of the blade being either flat or sharpened. as desired, will present more or less sharp edges to the stem and the lamina will be scraped from the stem instead of the stem being torn from the lamina as in the present forms of stemming machines.

The wire of the fingers 2t 25 may be, and preferably is, of angular cross section so that there will he formed sharp edges to scrape the lamina away from the stem, and the latter will be removed from the lea cleaned entirely from any part of the lamina.

The spring cushions 36 of the heads 35 and the yielding ring 39 will prevent the stem from being out or broken off by the withdrawing mechanism.

The fa that the end of one spring finger overlaps the next finger insures the stem being always under a finger and held in engagement with the edge of the blade 1.9.

The periphery of the turret 30 at the point A where the butt of the stem is taken is in c se proximity to the pins 18 and when the m is received in the recess 81 the lamina always will be on the opposite side of the pins and when the stripping begins as the peripheries of the turret and table 7 move a ray from each other, none of the laminae will adhere to that portion of the stem between the pins and the head grasping the butt of the stem.

The speeds of the table 7 and turret 30 are constant during the operation, but because ot the difference in diameter of those elcn'ients the speed with which the stem is withdrawn from the lamina will increase gradually as the inner periphery of the table recedes from the periphery of the turret. This movement of the table relatively to the turret will cause the stem to be drawn diagonally through the gap between the pins whereby the angular edges of the pins will have a more effective scraping action on the stems.

As the pins rccede from the turret by the rotation of the table and the angularity of the gap relatively to the point on the turret at which the stem is grasped increases, and the stem is drawn diagonally through the trap, the effective width of the gap decreases. This decrease in the gap width will correspond more or less with the gradually re ducing diameter of the stem as the point of the leaf is approached. and the spring fingers pressing down on the stems at all times will insure the scraping of the stem on four sides all times irrespective of the size of, the stem.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes i. have described the principle of my invention, together with the apparatus which I now consider to represent the bes embodiment thereof. but I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is n'ierelv illn active. and that the invention ma be carried out in other ways.

Having now described the invention, what ing movable relatively to all of the other p a gap throu "alile .vall. n

walls of the gap.

2. An apparatus for removing the stems from leaves, which comprises means for holding a leaf, means for moving the stem relatively to the lam na, members forming; a gap t 'irough which the stem moves, said .gap having four walls, one of said. walls being; movable relatively to all of the other walls of the gap by engagement of the stem with the movable wall.

3. An apparatus for removing the stems from leaves, which comprises means for holding a lea'l means for moving the stem relativel to the lamina, members forming a gap through which the stem moves, said gap having rigid walls, and a wall formed ct flexible material.

l. An apparatus for removing the stems from leaves, which comprises means for holding a leaf, means for removing the stem relatively to the lamina, members forming a rectangular gap through which the stem is moved, said gap having three rigid walls and. one flexible wall.

An apparatus for removing-the stems from leaves. which comprises means for holding a lear", means for removing the stem relatively to the lamina, members forming eh which the stem is moved, the

walls or" said gap preventingmovement of the lamina through the gap, said gap having three rigid walls and one flexible movable wall, and means for retarding the movement of the flexible wall. 7 Y

6. An apparatus for removing the stems from leaves, which comprises means for holding a leaf-,1neansior removing the stem' relatively to the lamina, members forming a gap thro i which the stem is moved. the walls or d gap preventing movement oi the lamina throiurli fll e gapsaid gap having; three id walls and one flexible movains engaging: the flexible wall tor retarding the movement of the wall.

7.1 111 apparatus for removing the stems from leaves, which comprises a rotating table for carrying the. leaves with their ends projecting beyond one edge thereof, means carried by toe table for holding the lamina of the leaves thereon, a rotating member as socialed with the table and carrying means adapted to grasp the projecting stems upon rotation, and means for rotating the table and member at different speeds to cause the grasping and withdrawal. oi? the stems from the laminae S. An apparatus for removing the stems from leaves, which comprises a rotating table for carrying the leaves, a rotating element, sa d table andelement moving in the same direction, means carried by tie element for grasping the stems whereby the relative rotation of the element and table will withdraw the stems from the. table, and means for preventing the withdrawal of the lamina from the table.

9. An apparatus for removing the stems from leav which comprises a rotating table (or carrying the leaves, a rotating element, said table and element movingin the same direction. means carried by the element for asping stems who eby the relative n of the element and table will with- Y the stems trom the table,and means carrieiir by the table for preventing the withdrawal of the lamina from the table.

10, An apparatus for removing the stems from leaves, which comprises a rotating e Car mg the leaves, said table being 1 ovided with spaced members forming a series of gaps for receiving the projecting portions of the stems, a rotating device coop crating with the table and drawing the stems through the gaps, the walls of the'gaps preventing the drawing of the lamina through the gaps.

11. An apparatus for removing; the. stems from leaves, which comprises a rotating tableior carrying the leaves, said table being provided with spaced members forming series of gaps for receivin the projecting portions of the stems, a rotating device coop-- erating with the table and drawing the stems through the gaps, the wallsofthe gaps preventing the drawing of the lamina through V E ps preventing the .1 iring oi thelamina 1 r-tic means for rethrough the e, sisting the wilhdrawa of the stems. 3. An apparatus for removing: the stems l leaves, which comprises a rotating tabio for carr 'ng the leaves, said table being provided with spaced members fori'ning a series of gapsior receiving the projecting portions of the stems, arotating' device cooperating with the table an-d'drawing' the stems through the gaps, the walls of the gaps preventing the drawing of the lamina throughthe aps, and spring fingersfor resistin the withdrawal of the stems,

14:. An apparatus for removing the stems from leaves, which comprises a rotating taill) fining said gaps, the walls engaging the masses ble for carrying the leaves, said table being provided with spaced members forming a series of gaps for receiving the projecting portions of the stems, a rotating device cooperating with the table amt drawin the stems through the g gaps preventing the (linking of the lami through the gaps, therebe' ii I stems and scraping the lamina thererroin.

15. rln apparatus for removing the stems from leaves, which comprises a rotating table for carrying the leaves, said table being provided with spaced members forming a series of gaps for receiving the projecting portions of the stems, a rotating device cooperating with the table and drawing the stems through the gaps. the walls of the s preventing the (ll 'ng of the lamina through the gaps, there being tour walls defining said gaps, the ed es of the walls being angular, the edges engi the stem and scraping the lamina l tom.

16. An apparatus for removing the stems from leaves, which comprises a table for re ceiving the leaves, said table having a central circular opening therein with the butts of the stems projecting into the opening, a circular turret within the confines oi": the table, the diameter or" the turret being less than that of the diameter ot the opening in the table, the turret being mounted eccentric to the table with its per-ipher in close proximity to a point on the periphery delinine; the opening of the table, means carried by the turret for gra p ng the projecting butts, means "for rota the table and turret in the same direction whereby the butts will be withdrawn from the table, means for preventing withdrawal of the lamina from the table.

17. An apparatus for removing the stems from leaves, which comprises a table for receiving the leaves, said table having a central circular opening therein with the butts of the stems projecting into the opening, a circular turret within the confines ot the table, the diameter of tie turret being less than that of the diameter of the opening in the table, the turret be muinted eccentric to the table with its periphery in close proximity to a point on the periphery defining the opening, means carried by and movable relatively to the turrettor grasping the projecting butts, means-tor rotating the table and turret in the same direction hereby the butts will be withdrawn from the table, and means tor preventing withdrawal of the lamina from the table.

18. An apparatus for removing the stems from leaves, which comprises a table for receiving the leaves, said table having a central circular opening therein with the butts oi the stems projecting into the opening, a cirocular turret within the confines ot the table,

the diameter ot the turret being less than that of the diameter of the opening in the table, the turr t being mounted eccentric to the table with its peripaery in close proximity to a point on the periphery defining the opening, means movable relatively to the turret :ior grasping the projecting butts, means or rotating the table and turret in the same direction whereby the butts will be wihdrawn from the table, and means for preventing withdrawal of the lamina from the table.

19. An apparatus for removing the stems from leaves, which comprises a table for receiving the leaves, said table having a central circular opening therein with the but-ts ot the stems projecting into the opening, a circular turret within the confines ot the he hie, the dian'ieter ot the turret being less than that of the diameter of the opening i the table, the turret being mounted eccentric to the table with its periphery in close proximity to a point. on the periphery defining the opening, means movable relatively to the turret for grasping the projecting butts, means for moving the movable means, means for rotating the table and turret in the same direction whereby the butts will be withdrawn from the table, and means for pre venting withdrawal of the lamina from the table.

20. An apparatus for removing the stems from leaves, which comprises a table for re ceiving the leaves, said table having a central circular opening therein with the butts oi. the stems proje 'ting into the opening, a circular turret within the confines of the table, the diameter of the turret being less than that of the diameter of the opening in the table, the turret being mounted eccentric to the table with is periphery in close proximity to a point on the periphery defining the opening, means movable relatively to the turret tor grasping the projecting butts, a cam for moving the movable means, means for rotating the table and turret in the same direction whereby the butts will be withdrawn from the table. and means for preventing withdrawal of the lamina from the table.

21. An apparatus tor removing the stems from leaves. which comprises a table for receiving the leaves, said table having a central circular opening therein with their but-ts extending into the opening, a series of spaced axially projecting pins carried by the table with the stems resting in the spaces between the pins, a circular turret within the opening, said turret being mounted eccentric to the table, the peri 'ihery ot the turret being at one point in close proximity to the periphery defining the opening, there being a peripheral groove or recess in the turret. said recess beingin approximately the plane of the table,whereby the projectlSt) ing stems will enter the recess, a wall of said recess being movable, means for moving the wall to grasp the projecting stems of the leaves, means for rotating the table and turret in the same direction, whereby the turret will withdraw the stems from the table, the pins acting to prevent the withdrawal of the lamina whereby the stems will be separated from the lamina.

22. An apparatus for removing the stems from leaves, which comprises a table for receiving the leaves, said table having a central circular opening therein with their butts extending into the opening, a series of spaced, axially projecting pins carried bythe table with the stems resting in the spaces between the pins, a circular turret within the opening, said turret being mounted eccentric to the table, the periphery of the turret being at one point'in close proximity to the periphery defining the opening, there being a peripheral groove or recess in the tur et, the bottom of said recess being normally in approximately the plane 01" the top of the table, whereby the projecting stems will enter the recess, a wall of said recess comprising a series of segmental movable heads, means for moving the segments to grasp the projecting stems of the leaves, means for rotating the table and turret in the same direction whereby the turret will withdraw the stems from the table, the pins acting to prevent the withdrawal of the lamina whereby the stems will be separated from the lamina.

23. An apparatus for removing the stems from leaves, which comprises a table for receiving the leaves, said table having a central circular opening therein with their butts extending into the opening, a series of spaced, axially projecting pins carried-by the table with the stems resting in the spaces between the pins, a circular turret within the opening, said turret being mounted eccentric to the table, the periphery out the turret'being at one point in close proximity to the periphery defining the opening, there being a peripheral groove or recess in the turret, the bottom oi said recess being normally inapproximately the plane of the top of the table, whereby the projecting stems will enter-the recess, a wall of said recess comprising a se ries of segmental movable heads, a cam for moving the segments to grasp the project extending into the opening, a series of spaced, axially projecting pins carried by the table with the stems resting in the spaces between the pins, a circular turret within the opening, said turret being mounted eccentric to the table, the periphery of the turret being at one point in close proximity to the periphery defining the opening, there being a peripheral groove or recess in the turret, the bottom or" said recess being in approximately the plane or the top of the table, whereby the projecting stems will enter the recess, a wall of said recess comprising a series of segmental movable heads, a cam for moving the segments to grasp the projecting stems of the leaves, means for rotating the table and turret in the same directiou whereby the turret will withdraw the stems from the table, the pins acting to prevent the withdrawalfoi the lamina whereby the stems will be separated from the lamina, said cam acting to release the stem after the lam na: have been separated therefrom.

1 in ap aratus for removing the stems from leaves, which comprises a table for receiving the leaves, said table having a central circular opening therein with their butts extending into the opening, a series of spaced, axially projecting pins carried by the table with the stems resting in the spaces between the pins, a circular turret within the openin said turret being mounted eccentric to the table, the periphery of the turret being at one point in close proximity to the periphery defining the opening, there being a peripheral groove or recess in the turret, said recess being in approximately horizontal alinement with the pins, whereby the projecting stems will enter the recess, a wall of said re cess comprising a series of segmental, spring cushioneo, movable heads, a cam for moving the segments to grasp the projecting stems of the leaves, means for rotating the table and turret in the same direction wlereby the turret will withdraw the stcms'from the table, the pins acting to prevent the withdrawal oi"- the lamina whereby the stems will be separated from the lamina. said cam acting to release the stem after the leaves have been separated therefrom.

26. An apparatus for removing the stems from leaves, which comprises a table for receiving the leaves, said table having a cenral circular opening therein with M ii' butts extending into the opening, a gauge against which the stems abut to limitthe extension of the butts into the space, a series oi spaced, axially projecting pins carried by the table with the stems resting in the spaces between the pins, a circular turret within the opening, said turret being mounted eccentric to the table, the periphery of the turret being in close proximity to the ed e of the table which defines the opening, there being a pclessees ripheral groove or recess in the turret, said recess being in approximately horizontal alinement with the pins, whereby the projecting stems will enter th recess, a wall of said recess being movable, means for moving the wall to grasp the projecting stems of the leaves, means tor rotating the table and turret in the same direction whereby the turret will withdraw the stems from the table, the pins acting to prevent the withdrawal of the lamina whereby the stems will be separated from the lamina.

27. An apparatus for removing the stems from leaves, which comprises a table or receiving the leaves, said table having a central circular opening therein with their butts extending into the central opening in the table, a series of spaced, axially projecting pins carried by the table with the stems resting in the spaces between the pins, a circular turret within the opening, said turret being mounted eccentric to the table, the periphery of the turret being in close pros-.imity to the inner edge of the table at one point on the table, there being a peripheral groove or recess in the turret, said recess being in approximately horizontal alinement with the pins, stationary means for supporting the projecting butts and directing the same to the recess, whereby the projecting stems will 2r the recess, a wall of said recess being movable, means for moving the wall to grasp the projecting stems of the leaves, means for rotating the table and turret in the same direction whereby the turret will withdraw the stems from the table, the pins acting to prevent the withdrawal of the lamina whereby the stems will be separated from the lamina.

:28. An apparatus for stemming leaves, which comprises base, a table for receiving the leaves. said table having a central circular opening therein, a circular series of spaced, axially projecting pins carried by the table near the edge of the central opening therein, the stems of the leaves lying within the spaces between the pins and projecting into the central opening in the table, a member concentric with the )ins for limiting the projection of the Steins into the space, a shelf carried by the member for supporting the projecting stem, an annular element carried by the base and engaging the pins and upon which the stems rest, an elastic device for engaging the stems, with the element. a turret within the opening defined by the table, there being a peripheral recess in the turret, the periphery of the turret being in close proximity to the inner periphery of the table, means for rotating the table and turret in the same direction, said shelf directing the pro j ectin stems into the recess, means carried by the turret tor graspin the stems whereby the continued rotation of the turret and table will cause the stems to be withdrawn from the table, the element, pins and elastic device preventing withdrawal of the lamina whereby the stems will be removed from the lamina, means 0 )Sl'iltitl by the movei ent ot the turret for releasing the withdrawn stems and means for removing the stenuned lamina. from the table.

29. An apparatus for stemming leaves, which comprises a base, a table for receiving the leaves, said table having a central circular opening therein, a circular series of spaced, axially projecting pins carried by the table near the edge of the central Opening therein, the stems of the leaves lying within the spaces between the pins, a member concentric with the pins tor limiting the projection ot the stems. a shelf ca ried by the member for supporting the projecting stems, an annular element carried by the base and engaging the pins and upon which stems rest, an elastic device for engaging stems with the element, said elastic element comprising independent sections, a portion of one section overlapping the next ad j acent section, the pins having inclined portions for resisting movement of the elastic element, a turret within the opening defined by the table. there being a peripheral recess in the turret, the periphery of the turret being in close proximity to the inner eriphcry of the table. means for rotating the table and turret in the same direction, saic shell directing the projecting stems into the recess, means carried by the turret tor grasping tue stems whereby the continued rotation of the turret and table will cause the stems to he withdrawn from the table. the element, pins and elastic device preventing withdrawal of the lamina whereby the stems will be removed trom the lamina, means operated by the movement of the turret for releasing the withdrawn stems and means for removing the stemmed lamina from the table.

30. An apparatus for stemming leaves, which comprises a table for supporting the leaves, said table having a central circular opening therein with their stems projecting into the opening, there being members tornr ing gaps on the table in which the stems lie, a circular turret located in the space and eccentric with the table. said turret ha *inc' means for grasping the projecting; stems, means for rotating the table and turret at a constant speed whereby the stems will be withdrawn from the table through the gaps and means whereby the gaps will he reduced in width and depth as the stems are withdrawn.

31. An apparatus for stemn'iiugleaves which comprises a table having a central circular opening for supporting the leaves with their stems projecting into the opening, members associated with the table and defining gaps adapted to receive the stems. a circular turret located within the circular opening and eccentric with the table, said turret having means for grasping the provjecting stems, means for rotating the table and turret at a constant speedivhereby the stems will be withdrawn from the table chap,-

onaily through the gaps, and means whereby the effective Widths of the gaps will be reduced as the stems are Withdrawn. 10

This specification signed this 21st day of July 1319.

WARD B. STORY. 

